‘Prize patrol’ surprises top O.C. teachers

Deanna Zamiska, right, of Peterson Elementary School, in Huntington Beach, is cheered on by third grader Gigi Sherman, 9, as the class is surprised by an entourage with Orange County Superintendent William Habermehl who presented the 2013 Teacher Of the Year Award. There were five Orange County teachers who received the honor Monday.ANA VENEGAS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

When the caravan of Orange County educators burst into Jennifer Sandland's third-grade classroom on Monday, students immediately knew their teacher had been named one of the county's top five teachers of the year.

"She won, she won," cheered the students at Peters Canyon Elementary in Tustin.

Sandland instantly began crying as her parents, Kay and Steve Sandland, sister Kathleen Sandland and son Kale, 7, entered the classroom to celebrate with the teacher.

"This is just one surprise after another," she said. "I could not be happier. But I could not have won this award without the support of all the other amazing teachers I work with."

Sandland was the final stop for the Teacher of the Year caravan, dubbed the "prize patrol," of county Department of Education officials, media, sponsors and other administrators. The group made annual trek across the county to honor the five teachers who have been named the county's best for 2013.

The five were chosen from more than 55 finalists selected by individual school districts. A panel of county officials picked the five winners after interviewing all the finalists. Each winner will also receive a $15,000 prize. A dinner will be held in the teachers' honor in October at the Disneyland Hotel.

"These teachers are among the best in their profession," said county Superintendent William Habermehl, leader of the prize patrol. "They work they do to inspire and educate our young people deserves the highest praise."

Sandland was selected for her work teaching her students to value the community outside the campus. Each Valentine's Day, her students run a book drive that benefits a children's hospital. She also leads a student fundraising effort that raises hundreds of dollars annually for endangered species worldwide.

John Wood

The prize patrol started the day by storming into John Wood's science classroom at Talbert Middle School.

"Wow, I didn't expect this," Wood said as Habermehl handed him a golden apple trophy. "This is a truly amazing honor."

Students cheered as Talbert teachers hugged and congratulated Wood.

Wood ran classroom lessons while he served on a scientific expedition in Alaska earlier this year. Wood communicated with his classes in Huntington Beach via Skype, asking students to follow his research on the Alaskan environment by reading his online journal.

Deanna Zamiska

The caravan then hit Peterson Elementary in Huntington Beach at about 9:20 a.m. to surprise third-grade teacher Deanna Zamiska as she prepared students for upcoming state testing.

Deanna Zamiska, right, of Peterson Elementary School, in Huntington Beach, is cheered on by third grader Gigi Sherman, 9, as the class is surprised by an entourage with Orange County Superintendent William Habermehl who presented the 2013 Teacher Of the Year Award. There were five Orange County teachers who received the honor Monday. ANA VENEGAS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Third-grade teacher Jennifer Sandland of Peters Canyon Elementary School in Tustin, has a joyful reaction to being presented with a 15,000 dollar award by Superintendent of Orange County Schools William Habermehl. ANA VENEGAS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Haley Goldenberg, 5, hugs her balloon as her parents Theresa and David Goldenberg embrace in front of a class of students after David Goldenberg received the 2013 Orange County Teacher of the Year Award on Monday. Goldenberg teaches History and A.P. History at Beckman High School in Tustin. An entourage lead by Orange County Superintendent of Schools William Habermehl rode a school bus from school to school to surprise the winners. ANA VENEGAS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Third-grade teacher Jennifer Sandland, of Peters Canyon Elementary School in Tustin, takes a moment to regroup with her son Kale Sandlandm, 8, after being presented with the a prize for 2013 Orange County Teacher of the Year. Sunland's son goes to different school but visited with family for the presentation. Superintendent of Orange County Schools William Habermehl, background, took an entourage from school to school in a school bus to surprise the five winning teachers with the awards. ANA VENEGAS, THE ORANGE COUNTY R
Cypress College Geology Professor Victoria Castle embraces Orange County Superintendent of Schools William Habermehl as he surprises her with the 2013 Orange County Teacher of the Year Award on Monday. ANA VENEGAS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Teacher of the Year John Wood, right, of Talbert Middle School in Fountain Valley receives Orange County Teacher of Year from Orange County Superintendent of Schools William Habermehl, right. There were five teachers who received the honor on Monday. ANA VENEGAS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Third-grade students of Jennifer Sandland of Peters Canyon Elementary School in Tustin, cheer on their teacher as she receives the 2013 Orange County Teacher of the Year Award. ANA VENEGAS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Superintendent of Orange County Schools William Habermehl presents third-grade teacher Jennifer Sandland of Peters Canyon Elementary School in Tustin, a 15,000 dollar prize. ANA VENEGAS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Superintendent of Orange County Schools William Habermehl presents a stunned Jennifer Sandland of Peters Canyon Elementary School in Tustin, with a 15,000 dollar prize. The monetary prize for Orange County Teacher of Year was provided by the Dr. James Hines Foundation, established by Laguna Beach philanthropists Bill and Sue Gross. ANA VENEGAS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Orange County Superintendent of Schools William Habermehl, left, presents 2013 Teacher of the Year Deanna Zamiska, right, of Peterson Elementary School, in Huntington Beach, with the honor. Five Orange County teachers were surprised Monday with a presentation of the award. Zamiska teaches third grade. ANA VENEGAS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Superintendent of Orange County Schools William Habermehl high-fives Jose Lara, left, of School's First Federal Credit Union. Lara represented one of the sponsors of the 2013 Teacher of the Year Award. The group of sponsors, officials and media rode a bus from school to school to surprise the five winners. ANA VENEGAS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Cypress College Geology Professor Victoria Castle stops to thank her students as Orange County Superintendent of Schools William Habermehl surprises her with the 2013 Orange County Teacher of the Year Award on Monday. Five Orange County teachers received the award. ANA VENEGAS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Professor Victoria Castle, right, is embraced by colleague Professor Russ Flynn, left, at Cypress College after Castle received the the 2013 Orange County Teacher of the Year Award on Monday. Flynn was on Castle's hiring committee twelve years ago. ANA VENEGAS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Orange County Superintendent of Schools William Habermehl, gets off the "Prize Patrol" bus at Beckman High School in Tustin where he is about to surprise Orange County Teacher of the Year David Goldberg. This is Habermehl's tenth and last year awarding the prizes. He recently announced his retirement. ANA VENEGAS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Superintendent of Orange County Schools William Habermehl presents third-grade teacher Jennifer Sandland of Peters Canyon Elementary School in Tustin, a 15,000 dollar prize. Sandland was one of five 2013 Teacher of the Year recipients. ANA VENEGAS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Third-grade teacher Jennifer Sandland, of Peters Canyon Elementary School in Tustin, takes a moment to regroup with her son Kale Sandlandm, 8, after being presented with the a prize for 2013 Orange County Teacher of the Year. Sunland's son goes to different school but visited with family for the presentation. Superintendent of Orange County Schools William Habermehl, background, took an entourage from school to school in a school bus to surprise the five winning teachers with the awards. ANA VENEGAS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Teacher of the Year John Wood, right, of Talbert Middle School in Fountain Valley reacts to getting a 15,000 prize from Orange County Superintendent of Schools William Habermehl, right. There were five teachers who received the honor on Monday. The monetary prize came from the The cash prize is provided by the Dr. James Hines Foundation, established by Laguna Beach philanthropists Bill and Sue Gross. ANA VENEGAS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Haley Goldenberg, 5, hugs her balloon as her parents Theresa and David Goldenberg embrace in front of a class of students after David Goldenberg received the 2013 Orange County Teacher of the Year Award on Monday. Goldenberg teaches History and A.P. History at Beckman High School in Tustin. An entourage lead by Orange County Superintendent of Schools William Habermehl rode a school bus from school to school to surprise the winners. ANA VENEGAS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Teacher John Wood, right, of Talbert Middle School in Fountain Valley reacts to receiving the 2013 Orange County Teacher of Year from Orange Countny Superintendent of Schools William Habermehl, left. Five Orange County teachers who received the honor on Monday. ANA VENEGAS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Teacher of the Year John Wood, right, of Talbert Middle School in Fountain Valley reacts to getting a 15,000 prize from Orange County Superintendent of Schools William Habermehl, right. There were five teachers who received the honor on Monday. The monetary prize came from the The cash prize is provided by the Dr. James Hines Foundation, established by Laguna Beach philanthropists Bill and Sue Gross. ANA VENEGAS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Deanna Zamiska, a 2013 Orange County Teacher of the Year, is embraced by students at Peterson Elementary School in Huntington Beach. Five Orange County teachers were surprised Monday with a presentation of the award. Zamiska teaches third grade. ANA VENEGAS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Kristin Rigby, project manager with the Orange County Department of Education, readies balloons for a stop inside the "Prize Patrol" bus. The 2013 Orange County Teacher's of the Year are John Wood, Deanna Zamiska, Victoria Castle, David Goldenberg and Jennifer Sandland. ANA VENEGAS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Third-grade teacher Jennifer Sandland, center, of Peters Canyon Elementary School in Tustin, poses with Superintendent of Orange County Schools William Habermehl and her third-grade homeroom class on Monday. Sandland was one of five 2013 Teacher of the Year recipients. ANA VENEGAS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Deanna Zamiska, a 2013 Orange County Teacher of the Year, is embraced by students at Peterson Elementary School in Huntington Beach. Five Orange County teachers were surprised Monday with a presentation of the award. Zamiska teaches third grade. ANA VENEGAS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Peters Canyon Elementary School Principal Molly Murphy leads Superintendent of Orange County Schools William Habermehl and his entourage into Jennifer Sandland's third-grade class. Sandland was one of five 2013 Teacher of the Year recipients. ANA VENEGAS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Orange County Superintendent of Schools William Habermehl, gets off the "Prize Patrol" bus at Beckman High School in Tustin where he is about to surprise Orange County Teacher of the Year David Goldberg. This is Habermehl's tenth and last year awarding the prizes. He recently announced his retirement. ANA VENEGAS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Part of Superintendent of Orange County Schools William Habermehl's entourage takes pictures of a prize presentation at Peters Canyon Elementary School in Tustin for the 2013 Teacher of the Year recipients. ANA VENEGAS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Superintendent of Orange County Schools William Habermehl high-fives Jose Lara, left, of School's First Federal Credit Union. Lara represented one of the sponsors of the 2013 Teacher of the Year Award. The group of sponsors, officials and media rode a bus from school to school to surprise the five winners. ANA VENEGAS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Teacher David Goldenberg kisses his daughter Haley Goldenberg, 5, as his wifeTheresa looks on after David Goldenberg received the 2013 Orange County Teacher of the Year Award on Monday. Goldenberg teaches History and A.P. History at Beckman High School in Tustin. An entourage lead by Orange County Superintendent of Schools William Habermehl rode a school bus from school to school to surprise the winners. ANA VENEGAS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Cypress College Geology students applaud Professor Victoria Castle for winning the 2013 Orange County Teacher of the Year Award on Monday. Five Orange County teachers received the award. ANA VENEGAS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Cypress College Geology Professor Victoria Castle reacts to a large entourage that arrived to present her 2013 Orange County Teacher of the Year Award on Monday. Orange County Superintendent of Schools William Habermehl stands at left. ANA VENEGAS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Cypress College Geology Professor Victoria Castle is embraced by Orange County Superintendent of Schools William Habermehl after being presented with the 2013 Orange County Teacher of the Year Award. ANA VENEGAS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

1 of

User Agreement

Keep it civil and stay on topic. No profanity, vulgarity, racial
slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about
tragedies will be blocked. By posting your comment, you agree to
allow Orange County Register Communications, Inc. the right to
republish your name and comment in additional Register publications
without any notification or payment.